Interior rearview mirror assembly with integrated indicator symbol

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to mirror assemblies for vehicles and in particular to interior rearview minor assemblies having touch screen inputs corresponding to elements representing a symbol. The symbols are located behind a reflective element and not visible until activated by selection of the corresponding input or other means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION AND CLAIM FOR PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit to and is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 12/885,191, filed Sep. 17, 2010, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to interior rearview minor assembliesfor vehicles and, more particularly, to interior rearview mirrorassemblies having touch screen inputs corresponding to a symbol.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional systems for controlling appliances and devices, such asgarage door openers, security gates, home alarms, lighting, computers,etc., use individual remote controls to operate a respective applianceand/or device. With this conventional system, it is difficult to controlmultiple devices or appliances, much less consolidate operation of theappliances and devices into a single, controllable system. For example,garage door opener mechanisms open and close a garage door in responseto a radio frequency control signal. The control signal is typicallygenerated and transmitted from a remote control that is sold with thegarage opener. The control signal has a preset carrier frequency andcontrol code such that the garage door opener mechanism is responsiveonly to the remote control issuing the associated control signal. Aproblem associated with this type of system is that the door opener mustreceive a specific predetermined control signal in order to be operated.That is, each appliance and device must receive a specific predeterminedcontrol signal. Therefore, a user wishing to control multiple appliancesand/or devices is required to have multiple remote controls.

Communication systems currently exist which enable multiple appliancesand devices to communicate with a central or single remote device. Onesuch system is Homelink™ owned by Johnson Control's, Inc., in which atrainable transceiver is able to “learn” characteristics of receivedcontrol signals such that the trainable transceiver may subsequentlygenerate and transmit a signal having the learned characteristics to aremotely controlled device or appliance. For example, one such system isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,593, hereby incorporated by reference.Another such system is disclosed in EP Pat. No. 0 935 226 B1, alsohereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an electrical circuit of a trainabletransceiver in block and schematic form. Trainable transceiver 43includes a conventional switch interface circuit 49 connected to oneterminal of each of the push button switches 44, 46, and 47. In additionto microcontroller 57, transceiver circuit 55 includes a radio frequency(RF) circuit 58 coupled to microcontroller 57 and to an antenna 59. Eachof switches 44, 46, and 47 may each correspond to a different device orappliance to be controlled such as different garage doors, electricallyoperated access gates, house lighting controls or the like, each ofwhich may have their own unique operating RF frequency, modulationscheme, and/or security code. Thus, switches 44, 45, and 47 correspondto a different radio frequency channel for trainable transceiver 43.

Systems, such as those described above, may be incorporated as a featureinto a vehicle to provide users with easy access to wireless devices andappliances. Once such embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2, which showsan interior rearview minor assembly. Interior rearview mirror 10 has areflective surface 11 encased in a frame or bezel 12. User inputs 18 acorrespond, for example, to switches 44, 46 and 47 of FIG. 1 andlikewise operate a different device or appliance to be controlled.Appearing on each of the inputs 18 a is a logo, icon, indicia orgraphics, such as a vehicle logo, and may have other appearances asdesired. For example, the Homelink™ icon appears on three of the fouruser inputs 18 a, each of which may be backlit with one or moreillumination sources or LEDs. Selection of a user input 18 a operates tobacklight the input, indicating selection of the corresponding userinput 18 a. Alternatively, as illustrated, each user input 18 a may notbe backlit, but instead illuminates LED 22 when selected.

FIG. 3 shows a touch sensitive interior rearview mirror assembly inaccordance with the prior art. Reflective element 410′ includes asurface capacitive touch screen or touch screen system incorporated atthe mirror glass, and is able to determine the location of a touch atthe front surface 410 b′ of the reflective element 410′ by sensingcurrent flow at discrete locations. When the minor and touch screensystem are activated, the touch screen may determine the location of atouch at the front surface of the reflective element 410′. For example,when a finger 472′ touches the front surface 410 b′ of the reflectiveelement 410′, the finger conducts or draws current away from the glass.The sensed current is detected by a controller to determine the locationof the finger 472′ on the reflective element 410′. The location detectedmay also correspond to a character or number of a keypad, for example,which in turn generates an appropriate signal to appropriate circuitryin the mirror system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, this invention relates to interior rearview mirrorassemblies for vehicles and, more particularly, to interior rearviewminor assemblies having touch screen inputs corresponding to a symbol.Although the embodiments described below are with reference to aninterior rearview mirror assembly, it is appreciated that this inventionmay also be used with any interior or exterior mirror assembly.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a minor assembly for avehicle, including a reflective element configured to accept an input; aminor housing to support the reflective element, wherein the reflectiveelement is operable to sense a touch or proximity of the input so as todetermine a point on the reflective element corresponding to the sensedinput.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is a minor system of avehicle, including an rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle having areflective element configured to accept an input and a minor housing tosupport the reflective element, wherein the reflective element isoperable to sense a touch or proximity of the input so as to determine apoint on the reflective element corresponding to the sensed input, andthe reflective element is a transflective element such that the at leastone symbol is visible upon activation and hidden during deactivation.

In one aspect of the invention, the point on the reflective elementcorresponds to at least one symbol disposed behind said reflectivesurface, the activation of which causes the symbol to be illuminated.

In another aspect of the invention, the reflective element is configuredas a resistive element comprising at least two electrically conductivelayers separated by a narrow gap, wherein when the input selects thepoint on the reflective element's outer surface, the at least twoelectrically conductive layers become connected at that point causing achange in electrical current and activates or deactivates the at leastone symbol.

In still another aspect of the invention, the reflective element isconfigured as a capacitive element comprising an insulator coated with aconductor such that touching an outer surface of the reflective elementallows a measurable change in capacitance which activates the at leastone symbol at the point.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the capacitive element is one ofa surface capacitive element, a projected capacitive element, a mutualcapacitive element and a self capacitive element.

In another aspect of the invention, the reflective element is configuredas an optical image sensor having at least one image sensor located atedges behind the reflective element such that when the input is sensed,it is triangulated to locate the point on the reflective elementcorresponding to the sensed input.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the reflective element isconfigured as an opto-electrical sensor having at least onephotodetector behind the reflective element such that a change in levelof illumination is detected causing activation or deactivation of the atleast one symbol.

In still another aspect of the invention, the reflective element istransflective such that the at least one symbol is visible uponactivation and hidden upon deactivation.

In another aspect of the invention, the at least one symbol is activatedby at least one of the following conditions: selection of the input,starting an ignition of the vehicle, opening of a vehicle door, statusof vehicle headlamps, user activated feature and sensing user movement.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an intensity of the at least oneillumination source is dependent on at least one of sensitivity ofambient light, status of the headlamps, and intensity of vehicledashboard lighting.

In still another aspect of the invention, the at least one symbol islocated such that it illuminates a portion of an edge of the reflectiveelement.

In another aspect of the invention, the at least one symbol is amulti-color symbol configured to indicate various functionscorresponding to a controllable device actuated by the input.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the at least one symbol is areconfigurable display.

In still another aspect of the invention, the at least one illuminationsource is at least one of: a light emitting diode, organic lightemitting diode, inorganic light emitting diode, electroluminescent lightemitting junction, element and multiple elements.

In another aspect of the invention, the reflective element is notsupported by a bezel.

In yet another aspect of the invention, activation of the at least onesymbol provides at least one of a tactile feedback and an audibleresponse.

These and other features and advantages of this invention will becomemore apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed descriptionof a preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detaileddescription are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an electrical circuit of a trainabletransceiver in block and schematic form.

FIG. 2 shows an interior rearview mirror assembly in accordance with theprior art.

FIG. 3 shows a touch sensitive interior rearview minor assembly inaccordance with the prior art.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary interior rearview minor assembly in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary interior rearview minor assembly in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 a shows an exemplary interior rearview mirror assembly inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 b shows an exploded view of an element appearing on the interiorrearview minor assembly of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary interior rearview minor assembly in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary touch sensitive interior review mirrorassembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 8 inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary touch sensitive interior review mirrorassembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows another exemplary touch sensitive interior review mirrorassembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention relates to a mirror assembly for vehicles and, moreparticularly, to a rearview minor assembly having selectable inputs orbuttons corresponding to a reflective element displayed on a reflectivesurface of the minor. The mirror assembly may be an interior or exteriorminor assembly, such as vanity mirrors, rearview mirrors, side-viewminors, etc.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary interior rearview minor assembly in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention. An interior rearview minorassembly 100 for a vehicle includes a reflective element 105 and inputs110 a, 110 b and 110 c. The reflective element 105 may be partiallytransmissive, partially reflective, transflective, etc. such thatobjects behind the element may be viewed, while at least partiallymaintaining the reflectivity of the element to act as a mirror.Moreover, the reflective element may be electrochromatic or any othertype of reflective element as readily understood in the art. The mirrorassembly 100 does not have a traditional frame or bezel, contrary to theconventional minor illustrated in FIG. 2 (although the minor assemblymay include the traditional frame or bezel). That is, the mirrorassembly appears without a retaining bezel and provides fullreflectivity on the face of the reflective element 105. Without aretaining or structurally supporting bezel, the inputs (or buttons) 110a, 110 b and 110 c may no longer be located on the bezel itself. Rather,the inputs 110 a, 110 b and 110 c are relocated to the structure orhousing (FIG. 9, 102) now supporting the reflecting element 105, asillustrated. It is understood that the number of inputs and location ofthe inputs is not limited to the depicted embodiment, but may includeany number of inputs and any location as readily understood by theskilled artisan.

Similar to the conventional minor assembly discussed above, appearing oneach of the inputs 110 a, 110 b and 110 c is a logo, icon, indicia orgraphics, such as a vehicle logo, and may have other appearances asdesired. For example, the Homelink™ icon appears on the inputs 110 a,110 b and 110 c, each of which may be backlit with one or moreillumination sources or LEDs. However, given the new location of theinputs 110 a, 110 b and 110 c, it becomes difficult for a user (e.g.driver) to see the backlit input (or a separate indicator light).

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary interior rearview minor assembly in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention. The minor assembly 100 includes,for example, reflective element 105, inputs 110 a, 110 b and 110 c, andsymbols 120 a, 120 b and 120 c. Illumination elements or sources (FIG.9, 112) are disposed behind reflective element 105, and include adisplay device or element, such as an illumination source in the form ofa light emitting diode (LED) or an arrays of LEDs, multi-color LEDs or amulti-color display or similar and/or corresponding circuitry. Theilluminations sources, when illuminated, form symbols 120 a, 120 b and120 c which are readily visible through the reflective element 105 whenany one of the illumination sources are activated. The illuminationssources may be separate from the symbols (e.g. the illumination sourcesact to illuminate the symbols), or part of the symbols (e.g. theilluminations sources are also the symbols themselves). It is thereforeunderstood that the terms illumination sources and symbols may beinterchangeable or separate elements. The symbols 120 a, 120 b and 120 care activated and deactivated, for example, by user or automaticselection of a corresponding input 110 a, 110 b and 110 c, start of anignition in the vehicle, opening of a vehicle door, etc. The user mayselect and determine which of the aforementioned systems enableactivation of the symbols, as well as the length of activation of thesymbols. The symbols may also act as an indicator to indicate that adevice or appliance operated by inputs 110 a, 110 b and 110 c is beingcontrolled, as well as provide the status of the device. Theillumination sources may be disposed at a circuit element, such as aprinted circuit board, and the circuit element may include or support orbe connected to circuitry associated with the illuminations sourcesand/or display device, dimming control or any other accessory or systemassociated with the mirror assembly 100 in the vehicle. Moreover, thebrightness and color of the illumination sources and/or symbols whenactivated are not limited to a single level. Rather, brightness andcolor may be tied to various factors, such as amount of ambient light,user selection, headlamp status, user movement or any other factor.Ambient light may also determine the intensity of the illuminationsource and/or symbol. It is also appreciated that the illuminationsources and/or symbols may be in any form, shape or pattern, includingcharacters, symbols, numbers, etc., and are not limited to the specificembodiments illustrated in the drawings.

FIG. 6 a shows an exemplary interior rearview mirror assembly inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, theinterior rearview mirror assembly 100 is similar to that described withrespect to FIG. 5. However, instead of providing multiple symbols 120 a,120 b and 120 c that correspond to each of inputs 110 a, 110 b and 110c, respectively, this embodiment discloses a single symbol 125 that isconfigured to be used with any one of or all inputs 110 a, 110 b and 110c. That is, symbol 125 may also include an indicator, such as an LED,that is also operable to indicate selection of one of inputs 110 a, 110b or 110 c. For example, if input 110 a is selected, symbol 125 isactivated such that it becomes visible to the user from behindreflective element 105. Additionally, the symbol 125 displays a number(depicted in the illustrated embodiment) that corresponds to input 110a. However, symbol 125, which may be an LED, may be illuminated toprovide the number “1,” which number corresponds to input 110 a.Additionally, the input(s) may correspond to a specific device orappliance, such as garage door, lights, etc., or indicative of thestatus of any device or appliance being controlled. Similar to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the displayed symbol 125 may besubstantially or completely hidden (i.e. not visible) to a personviewing the minor assembly 100 when the mirror assembly is mounted inthe vehicle, and when the symbol 125 is not activated. This enables themirror assembly 100 to be fully utilized as a rearview mirror withoutdistraction on part of a user.

FIG. 6 b shows an exploded view of an element appearing on the interiorrearview minor assembly of FIG. 6 a. In the illustrated embodiment, inaddition to symbol 125 illuminating during activation as describedabove, symbol 125 may also have a reconfigurable display, for example aseven-segment indicator (represented by the “8” in the drawings) that iscapable of indicating which of the corresponding inputs 110 a, 110 b and110 c (which inputs correspond to a device or appliance, as describedabove) has been selected. The symbol 125 and reconfigurable display maybe activated/deactivated together or separately to create differentvisual responses. Additionally, the color (or multiple colors),brightness, activity, etc. of the symbol 125 and the reconfigurabledisplay may be the same or provided differently for visual response orotherwise. Text, characters, symbols, etc. may also be displayed as partof symbol 125 and/or the reconfigurable display. Moreover, thereconfigurable display may be any display as readily understood in theart, including segmented, dot matrix, TFT, LCD, etc. Symbol 125 may alsobe configured to illuminate for a predetermined or user selectableamount/length of time.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary interior rearview minor assembly in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention. Although the indicators 130 a, 130b and 130 c, as illustrated in this embodiment, are displayed (whenactivated) as a single LED, the indicator(s) may appear in any desiredshape or pattern, and in any color. Additionally, the indicator(s) mayhave a brightness that varies with ambient light or is set to a desiredlevel. While LED(s) are used as the indicator 130 a, 130 b and 130 c inthe preferred embodiment, it is appreciated that any type ofillumination source may be used. For example, an organic or inorganiclight emitting diode, electroluminescent light emitting junction orelement or multiple elements may be included and located at, or disposedat or behind the reflective element 105. It is also appreciated that theindicators may be located anywhere behind the reflective element 105,including along the edge of the reflective element 105, therebyintentionally lighting the edge of the reflective element 105 in aspecific area.

FIG. 8 shows an interior review minor assembly in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention, where the mirror assembly is a touchscreen. The mirror assembly 100 includes, for example, a reflectiveelement 105, symbol 125 and cross-section 9-9 (shown in FIG. 9). Thetouch screen provides the minor assembly 100 the ability to detect thetouch or approach of an input device, such as a user's finger, pen orsimilar, at any location on the reflective element 105 (although it isunderstood that all or only a portion or multiple portions of thereflective element may be touch sensitive).

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view 9-9 of the minor assembly of FIG. 8in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in thecross-sectional view, the minor assembly 100 includes, for example, ahousing 102, a reflective element 105, an illumination source 112 (inthis embodiment depicted as a light source), a light guide 137, aprinted circuit board (PCB) 139 and a sensor 141. The illuminationsource 112, located behind the reflective element 105, may also be touchsensitive. It is also appreciated that while the illumination source 112is illustrated as a light source in the depicted embodiment, it may alsoform symbol 125 which is readily visible through the reflective element105. That is, illumination source 112 may be separate from the symbols,or part of the symbols. The illumination sources include a displaydevice or element, such as illumination source 112 in the form of a LED,array of LEDs, multi-color LEDs, OLED and an array of OLEDs ormulti-color display or similar and/or corresponding circuitry.

The minor assembly 100 may use any known touch sensitive or non-contacttechnology to determine input proximity to the reflective element 105.In this embodiment, indicators 110 a, 110 b and 110 c (shown in FIGS. 10and 11) may also act as inputs (i.e. the indicators may act as only andindicator or an input, or together as an indicator and an input).Indicators 110 a, 110 b and 110 c are activated/deactivated when sensor141 detects an input on or approaching the minor assembly 100. In theillustrated embodiment, upon activation of the indicators 110 a, 110 band/or 110 c, illumination source 112 emits light to light guide 137.Light guide 137, located behind the reflective element 105, deliverslight onto the rear side of reflective element 105 such that it istransmitted through the reflective element 105 at selected portions. ThePCB 139 (or alternatively circuit elements), responsible for operation,include touch controller circuitry and/or other circuitry or sensors oraccessories depending on the desired application of the mirror assembly.The PCB 139 may be located within the housing 102, or at a locationremote from the mirror assembly (such as within the vehicle or alocation remote from the vehicle). The PCB 139 may also include theHomelink™ circuitry, or may be completely independent therefrom.Additionally, although the indicators 110 a, 110 b and 110 c, asillustrated in this embodiment, are displayed/visible (when activated)as a single LED, the indicator(s) may appear in any desired shape orpattern, and in any color. Additionally, the indicator(s) may have abrightness that varies with ambient light or is set to a desired level.

Detecting of an input on or approaching the mirror assembly 100 mayinclude, but is not limited to, optical, capacitive, projectedcapacitive, projected capacitive, resistive, etc. or any otherelectro-optic and non-electro-optic technology. For example, in anoptical touch screen, a light element(s) may be disposed at or near anoptical sensor to gather and direct light toward the optical sensor. Aninput touching or approaching the screen may change the light sensed atthe optical sensor, thereby actuating portion(s) of the screen thatcorrespond to the detection. In a capacitive touch screen technology,for example, the location of a touch on the reflective element 105 by aninput is detected by sensing the current flow at multiple discretelocations around the reflective element 105. In one embodiment of acapacitive touch screen, a user's finger touching the screen conducts ordraws current away from the screen. The amount of current that flowsthrough various locations in proximity to the touched area of the screenis measured, and the location of the area on the screen touched, whichmay correspond for example to indicator 110 b, is determined. A signalcorresponding to selection of the associated indicator 110 b may then begenerated accordingly. For example, symbol 125 may be illuminated toindicated that indicator 110 b has been selected. It is appreciated thatany touch sensor or sensitive technology readily understood in the artmay be applied and implemented in this application and is not limited tothe specific embodiments described herein, which embodiments are usedfor illustrative purposes.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary touch sensitive interior review mirrorassembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 11shows another exemplary touch sensitive interior review mirror assemblyin accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment ofFIG. 10, a user input (i.e. finger) is approaching the minor assembly100 for selection (activation/deactivation) of one or more of indicators(and/or input) 110 a, 110 b and 110 c. The embodiment of FIG. 11, on theother hand, shows user selection of a specific indicator, namelyindicator 110 b. Although in each of FIGS. 10 and 11 inputs 110 a, 110 band 110 c are illustrated as visible, they may be visible all the timeor only when the illumination source (e.g. LED back light) is activated.If not visible, the indicators(s) can be lit (made visible) for avariable period of time based on another input from the vehicle, such asopening the door, turning on interior lights, starting the car, etc.which will allow the user to recognize this hidden feature. The methodof activation and length of time could be programmable by a user, suchas from a vehicle message center. As earlier described, the inputs mayalso be characters, numerals or symbols. The entire character, numeralor symbol or a portion thereof (such as the center of symbol 125) can bebacklit by a single monochrome LED, use a multi-color display, or anyother method known in the art. Additionally, the three indicators 110 a,110 b and 110 c (here shown as symbols, such as symbol 125) asillustrated are only one embodiment. It is understood that any number ofinputs and/or symbols may be used on the touch screen, and that anyindicator (input) and/or symbol may be separate or the same elements(i.e. the symbol 125 may also act as an input and/or indicator and viceversa), as described above with reference to FIGS. 4-7.

It is also appreciated that in addition to the function associated withselection of an indicator, tactile feedback may be provided when anindicator 110 a, 110 b, 110 c or a symbol 125 is selected (i.e. touched)by a user, for example as an indication that the indicator has beenproperly selected The tactile feedback may also indicate which of theindicators has been selected. For example, selection of a firstindicator 110 a may illicit a single, short vibration, whereas selectionof a second indicator 110 b may illicit two, short vibrations.Alternatively, selection of a symbol(s) 125 may be indicated through thespeakers in the vehicle or built into the mirror assembly itself.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with therelevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather thanlimiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosedembodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do comewithin the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legalprotection afforded this invention can only be determined by studyingthe following claims.

We claim:
 1. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising: areflective element configured to accept an input; a mirror housing tosupport the reflective element, wherein the reflective element isoperable to sense a touch or proximity of the input so as to determine apoint on the reflective element corresponding to the sensed input, thepoint on the reflective element corresponds to at least one symboldisposed behind said reflective surface, the activation of which causesthe symbol to be illuminated, and the reflective element istransflective such that the at least one symbol is visible uponactivation and hidden upon deactivation, and the reflective element isconfigured as an optical image sensor having at least one image sensorthat when the input is sensed, it is triangulated to locate the point onthe reflective element corresponding to the sensed input.
 2. The mirrorassembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one button on an outeredge of the reflective element, wherein the at least one button is notlocated on a reflective surface of the reflective element, and the atleast one button, in response to being activated, toggles the at leastone symbol from a visible to a hidden state, or a hidden to a visiblestate.
 3. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the reflective elementis configured as a resistive element comprising at least twoelectrically conductive layers separated by a narrow gap, wherein whenthe input selects the point on the reflective element's outer surface,the at least two electrically conductive layers become connected at thatpoint causing a change in electrical current and activates ordeactivates the at least one symbol.
 4. The mirror assembly of claim 1,wherein the reflective element is configured as a capacitive elementcomprising an insulator coated with a conductor such that the touch orproximity to an outer surface of the reflective element allows ameasurable change in capacitance which activates the at least one symbolat the point.
 5. The mirror assembly of claim 4, wherein the capacitiveelement is one of a surface capacitive element, a projected capacitiveelement, a mutual capacitive element and a self capacitive element. 6.The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the reflective element isconfigured as an opto-electrical sensor having at least onephotodetector behind the reflective element such that a change in levelof illumination is detected causing activation or deactivation of the atleast one symbol.
 7. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the atleast one symbol is activated by at least one of the followingconditions: selection of the input, starting an ignition of the vehicle,opening of a vehicle door, status of vehicle headlamps, user activatedfeature and sensing user movement.
 8. The mirror assembly of claim 7,wherein an intensity of the at least one illumination source isdependent on at least one of sensitivity of ambient light, status of theheadlamps, and intensity of vehicle dashboard lighting.
 9. The mirrorassembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one symbol is located suchthat it illuminates a portion of an edge of the reflective element. 10.The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one symbol is amulti-color symbol configured to indicate various functionscorresponding to a controllable device actuated by the input.
 11. Themirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one symbol is areconfigurable display.
 12. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein theat least one illumination source is at least one of: a light emittingdiode, organic light emitting diode, inorganic light emitting diode,electroluminescent light emitting junction, element and multipleelements.
 13. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the reflectiveelement is not supported by a bezel.
 14. The mirror assembly of claim 1,wherein activation of the at least one symbol provides at least one of atactile feedback and an audible response.
 15. A mirror system of avehicle, comprising: an rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle having areflective element configured to accept an input and a mirror housing tosupport the reflective element, wherein the reflective element isoperable to sense a touch or proximity of the input so as to determine apoint on the reflective element corresponding to the sensed input, thereflective element is a transflective element such that at least onesymbol is visible upon activation and hidden during deactivation, andthe reflective element is configured as an optical image sensor havingat least one image that when the input is sensed, it is triangulated tolocate the point on the reflective element corresponding to the sensedinput.
 16. The mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the point on thereflective element corresponds to the at least one symbol disposedbehind said reflective surface, the activation of which causes the atleast one symbol to be illuminated.
 17. The mirror assembly of claim 15,wherein the reflective element is configured as a resistive elementcomprising at least two electrically conductive layers separated by anarrow gap, wherein when the input selects the point on the reflectiveelement's outer surface, the at least two electrically conductive layersbecome connected at that point causing a change in electrical currentand activates or deactivates the at least one symbol.
 18. The mirrorassembly of claim 15, wherein the reflective element is configured as acapacitive element comprising an insulator coated with a conductor suchthat the touch or proximity to outer surface of the reflective elementallows a measurable change in capacitance which activates the at leastone symbol at the point.
 19. The mirror assembly of claim 18, whereinthe capacitive element is one of a surface capacitive element, aprojected capacitive element, a mutual capacitive element and a selfcapacitive element.
 20. The mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein thereflective element is configured as an opto-electrical sensor having atleast one photodetector behind the reflective element such that a changein level of illumination is detected causing activation or deactivationof the at least one symbol.
 21. The mirror assembly of claim 15, whereinthe at least one symbol is activated by at least one of the followingconditions: selection of the input, starting an ignition of the vehicle,opening of a vehicle door, status of vehicle headlamps, user activatedfeature and sensing user movement.
 22. The mirror assembly of claim 21,wherein an intensity of the at least one illumination source isdependent on at least one of sensitivity of ambient light, status of theheadlamps, and intensity of vehicle dashboard lighting.
 23. The mirrorassembly of claim 21, wherein the at least one symbol is located suchthat it illuminates a portion of an edge of the reflective element. 24.The mirror assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one symbol is amulti-color symbol configured to indicate various functionscorresponding to a controllable device actuated by the input.
 25. Themirror assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one symbol is areconfigurable display.
 26. The mirror assembly of claim 16, wherein theat least one illumination source is at least one of: a light emittingdiode, organic light emitting diode, inorganic light emitting diode,electroluminescent light emitting junction, element and multipleelements.
 27. The mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the reflectiveelement is not supported by a bezel.
 28. The mirror assembly of claim15, wherein activation of the at least one symbol provides at least oneof a tactile feedback and an audible response.
 29. The mirror assemblyof claim 15, further comprising: at least one button on an outer edge ofthe reflective element, wherein the at least one button is not locatedon a reflective surface of the reflective element, and the at least onebutton, in response to being activated, toggles the at least one symbolfrom a visible state to a hidden state, or a hidden state to a visiblestate.